Induction of heat shock protein 60 expression in human monocytic cell lines infected with Mycobacterium leprae

K Beimnet1, K Söderström, S Jindal

  • 1Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Infection and Immunity
|October 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Mycobacterium leprae infection triggers human heat shock protein 60 (hsp60) synthesis in monocytic cell lines. This finding may link to autoimmune issues in mycobacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mycobacterium leprae is the causative agent of leprosy.
  • Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play roles in cellular stress responses and immune modulation.
  • The role of human hsp60 in mycobacterial infections is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the induction of human hsp60 synthesis in monocytic cell lines upon infection with Mycobacterium leprae.
  • To explore the potential significance of hsp60 in autoimmune manifestations linked to mycobacterial infections.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized HL-60 and THP-1 monocytic cell lines.
  • Infected cell lines with viable Mycobacterium leprae.
  • Quantified human hsp60 levels using Western blot (immunoblot) assay and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • Infection with Mycobacterium leprae induced significant synthesis of human hsp60 in both HL-60 and THP-1 cell lines.
  • Detected elevated levels of human hsp60 following M. leprae exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Monocytic cell lines synthesize human hsp60 in response to Mycobacterium leprae infection.
  • Induced human hsp60 may be implicated in the autoimmune responses observed in mycobacterial infections.

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